Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of progress in improving patients' access to new medicines in response to the recommendations of the case for change arising from the NICE Methods Review; and if he will make a statement.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) now aims to publish draft recommendations on all newly licensed treatments around the time of licensing with final guidance within 90 days of marketing authorisation wherever possible. NICE also recommends the vast majority of new medicines that it appraises for some or all of the eligible patient population.

NICE’s review of its methods and processes is ongoing. The purpose of the review is to ensure that NICE’s methods and processes support the National Health Service to provide high quality care and value for money. NICE consulted on proposals for the case for change in late 2020. NICE expects to consult on the draft programme manual in the summer, with implementation of the changes from early 2022.